2024 exit poll results, live highlights: Most exit polls predicted a setback for the Maha Aghadi Vikas (MVA) and a clear victory for the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra. Axis My India predicted 189 seats for Mahayuti, 90 for MVA in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the BJP-led NDA is also likely to oust India’s ruling bloc in Jharkhand, according to the majority of poll results declared on Wednesday. However, Axis My India predicted that JMM and its INDIA bloc allies are likely to retain Jharkhand.

The first results suggest a clear victory for Mahayuti in Maharashtra. Pollsters, in their early predictions, also gave the edge to the BJP-led NDA in Jharkhand.

Pollster Matrize predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti, 110-130 seats for MVA and 8-10 seats for others. The majority in the Maharashtra assembly is 145. Mahayuti could win 137-157 seats in Maharashtra, according to pollster P-Marq. The MVA could obtain between 126 and 146 seats, according to this investigator.

The News24-Channakya poll predicted that the ruling Mahayuti alliance would win 152-160 seats while the MVA would win 130-138 seats in Maharashtra.

Pollsters, in their early predictions, also gave an edge to the NDA in Jharkhand. The People’s Pulse awarded 42-48 seats to the BJP-led NDA and 16-23 seats to the JMM. The survey institute gave 8 to 14 seats to the Congress, which is an ally of the JMM.

What are exit polls?

Exit polls are predictions based on voter feedback collected by survey agencies after the election. The basic idea of ​​exit polls is to reflect public opinion well in advance of the actual results. However, their accuracy has often come under scrutiny.

Television channels and other survey organizations can start publishing exit poll results after 6:30 p.m., as per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. These voting results can only be published half an hour after the end of voting, in accordance with section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Maharashtra and Jharkhand at the exit polls

The contest for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections is largely bipolar between two alliances – the Mayayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in alliance with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the ruling Mahayuti banner. The opposition MVA alliance includes Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress party.

In Jharkhand, the fight is between the INDIA bloc led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP.

What did the exit polls say in 2019?

In the 2019 parliamentary elections, exit poll results were generally correct for Maharashtra and Jharkhand. However, the numbers are not entirely accurate to the final results.

In Maharashtra, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising the BJP and Shiv Sena (SHS), won a majority. However, the alliance dissolved after differences over government formation precipitated a political crisis.

The JMM emerged as the largest party with 30 seats in the 2019 assembly elections, while the BJP won 25 seats. The Congress won 16 seats, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) 3 seats and the All Jharkhand Students Union 2 seats.

The JMM forms a government with the support of the Congress and the RJD.